The number of Channel migrants hit its highest ever daily total with more than 1,250 people making the crossing yesterday – bringing the overall number this year above 22,000.
After several days with no crossings, a total of 1,295 people were detected crossing the English Channel in small boats on Monday.
The figure surpasses the old daily record total of 1,185 – set in November last year. The most crossing recorded in one day this year had been 696 set on August 1.
At least 150 more migrants have made the crossing to Dover today, and more are expected are due to the calm conditions at sea.
The first group of around 40 people included a number of families with children. A soldier dressed in camouflage fatigues could be seen carrying a sleeping toddler in his arms.
Among the latest arrivals were a few young children – including a primary school-aged boy wearing t-shirt emblazoned with the logo of video game Fortnite.
Yesterday, some 27 boats were intercepted by Border Force and the Royal Navy, which suggests an average of around 48 people per boat.
August is set to become a record month for the year with around 6,000 migrants having crossed the Channel so far, The Telegraph reports, the highest ever total in a month is 6,878 in November 2021.
The cumulative number of crossings this year now stands at a provisional total of 22,670, last year’s final figure was 28,526.
